[en] A nonlinear energy sink (NES) is characterized by its ability to passively realize targeted energy transfer as well as multimodal damping. This latter feature seems to make this device very well suited for reducing the vibration level of MDOF linear structures. The perspective of dealing with MDOF linear primary structures requires the development of an efficient NES design procedure. This paper poses the basis of such a procedure based upon the bifurcation analysis of a system composed of a linear oscillator coupled to a NES, using the software MatCont.